The Trials of the Swamp Witch

Today while crossing the Dragonsmere, A member of the cruise told the party of adventurers an old wives’ tale about to dryad named Cipres. She is rumored to reside on the oldest Cyprus in the sacred Grove. She is the most beautiful creature mankind has ever seen. It is said her song drives men mad. Any man to bed her would be left mute I would die from thirst. The old crewman say she is guarded by ancient river, once mighty, but now fallen. Then the men broke into song “Swear on me and give him gold. The ferry waits for young and old. Your souls will cross and some feel cold. My name the gods of old once knew, Achilles and his daring crew. Speak my name, the River Styx and seal your fate for I’m not Nyx” I fear my men are overly superstitious. I know all myths and legends spur from truth, but their simple fears sometimes halt work that must be done. I must address this problem strategically.
In other news dinner was terrible. Salted mutton was as tough as chain mail and the wine has soured. I believe tomorrow we’ll have pickled eggs, pickled cabbage, and pickles. Sometimes I wonder if this is torture or travel. Weather is starting to look gray. Storms are brewing and the red corrupted water seems to be spreading. Gods save us. We should be making port in 3 days. I rarely say this, but I can’t wait to land.
Captain Fomi Sal

“Meer Eternal” was run aground last night after a terrible storm. My navigator underestimated this force of nature. It felt strange. As we approached the storm, the air felt different. It smelled like iron. It struck fear in the crew. The adventurers bravely helped, but I’m sad to say we lost two of them. They had never been on board a ship before and it seems their newly acquired sea legs failed them. The adventurers and I have decided to continue on foot. This is no easy task. This one poses many new threats. My first mate and crew will stay behind. Waiting for the tide to change and hopefully make all of the necessary repairs to return your home when we finish this task.
Captain Fomi Sal

We have set up camp on the western embankment of the river. There is a bit of a clearing here. It doesn’t look like we could’ve gone much further in the river. It is full of mangrove and cypress islands. One surveyor told me that the swamp is constantly changing its form. No trail stays for long. My only fear is that we may be lost to the swamp, not death, but merely unable to find our way back home. We have decided to stay the night in camp. The sounds this place makes may spoke the crew. Creaking. Croaking. Moans. Buzzes. I wonder if my father knows the danger he is putting us into. Sleep will not come easy tonight. Mystra guide us.
Captain Fomi Sal

Secret Meeting of Adventurers

Hello Adventurers,
I am the Baron Elodin il-Banock. Baron of Meer Tyrennial, Warden of Thunderpeak Crossing, Watcher of the Cypric Estuary, and Arch Justice of the Central Kingdom. I apologize for all the secrecy regarding my request to have you all meet here on this ship on the Dragonsmere. The Genasi standing before you and reading this letter is Fomi Sal. He is the Commodore of my river fleet. I have raised him since he was a boy and he is better than my own son. There have been many rumors about the Genasi, but I promise you those are all lies. I trust this man with my life. This man is worth more to me than all of your weight in gold and his word is more honest than the gods. He will act as your guide and with this writ all of you will have food, drink, and bed in any Inn or Trading Post throughout the lands under my jurisdiction. I have asked you all here to assist me with a problem. As you all well know, our realm has fallen upon dark times. Every day, the corruption spreads throughout our fair and beautiful lands. I have chosen you from the four corners of the realm. Many for whom you have served have spoken greatly to me about your skills and abilities. All of my hope lies on you and your skills as adventurers. The corruption has begun to spread in my realm. I have my best and brightest alchemists, mages, and even the Dragonborn Academy attempting to find a cure for the corruption, but a trusted ally has told me of a rumor of a witch and her two sisters that now live in the corrupted swamp that was once my beautiful estuary and they may have a solution to our corruption conundrum. I ask you to seek them out and find me a cure to stop this wretched plague from destroying all that I love. Your guide knows the way. Be careful when dealing with the Fey, They are a tricky lot and revel in others struggle. The swamp is now full of the new unknown dangers. My scouts and surveyors report sightings of Bullywugs, giant crocodile, and the unfathomable sounds of monstrosities. Fomi will now give you all 5 platinum pieces as a token to show your efforts are not to go without reward. I promise you more than riches if you can do this for me. I will take it that your presence at this meeting will act as your acceptance of this quest. I wait to hear of your victorious arrival in Meer Tyrennial.
Make Haste and Safe Journey,
Baron Elodin il-Banock.

The adventure log is where you list the sessions and adventures your party has been on, but for now, we suggest doing a very light “story so far” post. Just give a brief overview of what the party has done up to this point. After each future session, create a new post detailing that night’s adventures.

One final tip: Don’t stress about making your Obsidian Portal campaign look perfect. Instead, just make it work for you and your group. If everyone is having fun, then you’re using Obsidian Portal exactly as it was designed, even if your adventure log isn’t always up to date or your characters don’t all have portrait pictures.